Title: Founder and Owner
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Arts and a Master’s degree in Linguistics and English Literature from the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil. She also took Healthy Culinary Classes at George Brown College in Toronto and Food Photography Courses also at George Brown College.
Expertise: Recipe development, Cooking homemade meal using real, seasonal and unprocessed foods.
Experience
Olivia Ribas is the owner, founder, CEO, and recipe developer of Primavera Kitchen, a food blog she launched in 2014. Growing up in Brazil, she developed a deep appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients and home-cooked meals. She watched her mother, aunts, and grandmother cook from scratch daily. Food was always at the heart of celebrations, and she fondly remembers her grandmother saying, “Eat and appreciate food.” These early experiences shaped Olivia’s passion for cooking and commitment to creating nourishing, homemade meals.
For over a decade, Olivia has been tirelessly developing and testing recipes that are simple, delicious, and made with wholesome ingredients. She believes cooking should be easy and enjoyable—no complicated steps, just good food packed with flavor.
What began as a hobby has grown into a thriving career, with Primavera Kitchen becoming a trusted resource for everyday cooking. Olivia’s mission is to help families enjoy fresh, flavorful meals without stress. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion dish, she is dedicated to inspiring others to embrace home cooking as a way to nourish their bodies, connect with loved ones, and savor the joy of good food.
Life outside the kitchen
Olivia is originally from Brazil and has lived in Canada since 2010, where she met her husband, Pierre, who is from Montreal. They have a 9-year-old son, Thomas (aka Tomtom), who speaks Portuguese, English, and is in French immersion school. Her family still lives in Brazil, and she tries to visit them once a year, with them visiting her too.
When she’s not cooking, Olivia loves spending quality time with her husband and son, as well as hanging out with family and friends. She enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and staying connected with nature through long walks, farm visits, and movie nights.
Olivia has a deep love for Jane Austen’s books and even toured her house-turned-museum in England, which was a major highlight. Her passion for English literature also sparked a fascination with the English countryside, especially the Cotswolds, castles, and royal history. Thanks to Pierre’s work, they frequently visit England.
In her free time, Olivia enjoys visiting antique stores, especially for vintage pottery crocks, trying new foods at restaurants, reading, and attending concerts or summer festivals. She also enjoys binge-watching TV shows and spending time outdoors with her family.
